Monday, December 6, 2010

Hello my raviolis. Grandma-ma and Grampy just returned from visiting the Colorado ravs and learned they had never, ever seen the movie, The Sound of Music. Well, we immediately ran to Walmart and picked up a copy for them to watch and we had a living room full of family watching and singing along. It was so much fun so here is our favorite song from the movie.

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Hello my Wednesday raviolis. Today's word may seem a little silly to you, it is

"goldfish".

This is the type of goldfish you probably know best.

Grandma-ma was in Walmart yesterday buying some fish food and they had these really neat species of goldfish in one of their tanks. It is called a Black Moor Goldfish.

Look at the big bug-eyes on this goldfish? How neat is this? Now you may ask why this is called a goldfish when it isn't gold. Very good question. "Goldfish" is a species of fish and were many of their kind are a brilliant gold color, it is the type of fish that makes them a goldfish. The Black Moor Goldfish is one of the most beautiful types of goldfish and is a beautiful black velvet in color. The Black Moor is a popular and hardy fish which is generally easy to care for. The Black Moor can be kept with other types of goldfish and will swim in a school with them. He also gets along with many other types of fish and can be kept easily in a community tank, however you must be aware that they like to dig and may uproot many of your plants and other decorations. Grandma-ma took this picture of this big, bug-eyed beauty while he was swimming around in the Walmart tank.

I think they are funny and have big cartoon like faces with their big bulging eyes. They were very friendly and would swim right up to the tank wall to look at you. So let's use the word goldfish in three sentences today. Here is grandma-ma's first sentence:

Wednesday, November 10, 2010

Oh My goodness, my Wednesday raviolis. It has been 8 days since Grandma-ma last posted on your blog. She has been running around like a chicken with her head cut off. She is moving so fast that she has to slow down to speed up. I bet you are all just as busy. The months of November and December are always very busy with all of the wonderful holidays that will soon be here. So, today's word is

"relax"

Yes, that is a great word for all of us. When we are so busy that we don't know what to do next, we need to STOP. Breathe in and breathe out slowly and deeply.

Stretch our arms and legs out long and lean, lay down on your bed or the floor and stretch again. Enjoy the beautiful day that we have with friends or by yourself...nothing wrong with a little alone time.

This frog sure knows how to relax. So are we understanding what the word "relax"means? To slow down, ease up on what you do, be less rigid, release. So here is grandma-ma's first sentence using the word relax:

Grandma-ma has another busy day today, but when she gets home, she is going to kiss Kota on the head, make some eggy bread for supper, spread out on the sofa and relax.

Ahhhh, that feel good already. Love to all of you my relaxing raviolis and remember, no matter how busy or how relaxed grandma-ma may be, she always loves you very much! Love Grandma-ma

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Hello my raviolis. Grandma-ma was driving home from her Saturday errands when she heard this song on the radio. It is sung by Nickel Creek, a neat young person's band. It is a fun song to hear and sing along with and tells a good story of a Father Fox who goes out looking for supper to bring back to his family.

The Fox went out on a chilly night

He prayed for the moon to give him light

For he had many a mile to go that night

Before he reached the town-o, town-o, town-o

He had many a mile to go that night

Before he reached the town-o

He ran till he came to the farmers pen

The ducks and the geese were kept therein

He said a couple of you are gonna grease my chin

Before I leave this town-o, town-o, town-o

A couple of you are gonna grease my chin

Before I leave this town-o

He grabbed the great goose by the neck

He threw a duck across his back

And he didn't mind the quack, quack

And the legs all danglin' down-o, down-o, down-o

He didn't mind the quack, quack

And the legs all danglin' down-o

Well the old gray Woman jumped out of bed

Out of the window she popped her head

Cryin' John, John the great goose is gone

The Fox is on the town-o, town-o, town-o

John, John the great goose is gone

And the Fox is on the town-o

He ran till he came to his nice warm den

And there were the little ones 8, 9, 10

Sayin' Daddy, Daddy better go back again

It must be a mighty fine town-o, town-o, town-o

Daddy, Daddy go back again

For it must be a mighty fine town-o

The Fox and his Wife, without any strife

They cut up the goose with a fork and a knife

And they never had such a supper in their life

And the little ones chewed on the bones-o, bones-o, bones-o

They never had such a supper in their life

And the little ones chewed on the bones

Here is the music video of Nickel Creek singing this fun song. I hope you enjoy it as much as grandma-ma does. Love to all of you. Grandma-ma.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Hello my raviolis. Grandma-ma loves to see how things work. Especially machines. I like the way gears work together to create motion. They are used everywhere and if you look closely, you will see them in action all around you. This is a video of a man who makes gears in different kinds of shapes to include gold fish. We always see gears in a round or circular shape because they are the most efficient working in that shape. But did you know you can create gears in many shapes and they will still work? Take a look.

I hope you enjoyed learning about gears and if you may any, please send me the video and I will post it on raviolis for lunch. Love to you all. Grandma-ma

Monday, October 18, 2010

Hello my raviolis. I know summer is over and the holiday baking will begin soon. The NY raviolis mommy was busy making fresh apple crisp this weekend and I could smell the apples baking all the way to Atlanta. Yummy. I was going to share a fall receipe with you but then came across these neat cookies that are easy to make. They are Sand Dollar Cookies. I know, I know, that is a summer cookie, but you know what? Cookies are good any time of the year so here is how to make the easy Sand Dollar Cookies:

Start with a roll of sugar cookie dough and a bag of slivered almonds.

Slice the cookies and place 5 almond slivers in the shape of a star.

Bake until golden and let them cool. You have just made Sand Dollar Cookies. Now, pour cold milk into a glass and have Sand Dollar Cookies and milk. Love to you all my raviolis. Grandma-ma

Don't worry bout a thing, cause every little thing is gonna be all right." Bob Marley is a songwriter/singer who's music is pure in its happiness and joy. He wrote those words and I thought I would share them with you. So remember, it is a

...beautiful day to have meals with your family and friends.

To share hugs with your furry friends...they love you unconditionally.

To give hugs to all those you love, it always makes you and them feel better.

Group hugs and dog piles are fun too.

Grampy and Grandma-ma hugs are on their way to all of you. Hugs and kisses until you say stop, no more. Remember, every little thing, is gonna be all right!

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Good morning my Wednesday raviolis. Grandma-ma is very sorry that she has been remiss in posting to your blog...in fact it has been one week today since I last posted. Grandma-ma has been overwhelmed with work responsibilities, doctors appointments and sewing costumes that time just ran away without her. Of course, this makes for a wonderful word of the week choice:

"busy"

Yes, the word "busy" is perfect for grandma-ma's lifestyle right now and I bet it describes yours too. I know everyone is "busy" in school learning new things, taking tests, and doing homework.

I know you are busy playing after school sports and with friends.

Everyone is very busy these days. So busy is a good word of the week. It means to to be engaged in action, to be full of activity. We are all very busy with our activities but grandma-ma doesn't want to be so busy that she cannot post on her blog that she created for you. So grandma-ma is going to finish lots of her busy activities by this weekend and then she will be saying hello like she should.

Remember to use the word "busy" in three sentences today. Here is grandma-ma's first sentence:

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Hello Wednesday Raviolis. Today's word is one of grandma-ma's favorite. It is a big sounding word with four syllables and when you say it out loud it can sound very mysterious. So, the word of the week is:

sarcophagus

That is a big word. So big that I will break it down as the ear hears it - sar cof a guess.

Now, a sarcophagus is a funeral receptacle for a body that is most commonly carved or cut from stone. The word is from Greek origin meaning flesh eating because sarcophagi (more then one) were originally carved from limestone which was thought to decompose the flesh of the dead bodies inside it.

Limestone sarcophagus with Egyptian carvings all around it. It looks very heavy.

The gold, inner sarcophagus of King Tutankhamen. King Tut's burial tomb was so lavish with many golden tombs, statues and other items. This inner sarcophagus of gold was inside a stone one. Can you imagine the look of the archaeologists when they removed the stone cover from the stone sarcophagus and this beautiful golden sarcophagus was inside?

This is a middle English limestone sarcophagus. It has very deep carvings of knights around it. I think it would be a fun school project to build or create a sarcophagus out of clay.

How will you use the word sarcophagus in three sentences today? This may be a tough one. Here is grandma-ma's first sentence:

It takes many years to carve a sarcophagus out of limestone. Have a wonderful Wednesday my ravs and enjoy this interesting word. Grandma-ma and Grampy love you.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Hello my wonderful ravs. I found some amazing photos of tiny sculptures using a very unique medium to carve tiny statues. Do you know what this is made out of?

Here is a hint. You probably have a box of these. They come in lots of beautiful colors. Did you guess? Do you know what they are carved out of?

Yes you are correct if you guessed crayons. How amazing are these tiny sculptures of people and pets? This artist had a lot of patience and probably had to keep ice near their hands to cool them down so the heat from their fingers would not make the crayons soft and melty.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Hello my friday raviolis. Everyone loves Friday and so do these happy doggies. Just sit back and enjoy this wonderful video of dogs and families. If you have a speaker, turn it on because the music is nice too.

In the middle of this video there is a diving doggie. Grandma-ma is very impressed as he chases a pool ring with a friend. Have a lovely day, my ravs. Grandma-ma

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Hello my word of the week ravs. Today's word is a feel good word. It is:

"cheer"

Cheer means a lightness of spirits or mood; gaiety or joy. A source of joy or happiness. It also means a shout of approval, encouragement or congratulations.

You have seen "cheerleaders" at sporting events. These girls and boys shout and encourage and sing and do lots of fancy tricks. They are fun to watch and they make whatever sport you are playing or watching fun.

Here is a picture of an Army Cheerleader. Do you know who this is?

I think she looks mighty cute in her cheer leading outfit.

Did you know that Aunt Renee and Grandma-ma were cheerleaders when they were in high school? Ask you mom or dad if they were cheerleaders and leave a comment to say if they were. Be sure to use the word cheer in three sentences today. Here is my first sentence:

When Lili performed her winning gymnastics routine, everyone gave her a big cheer!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Hello my raviolis. Look who came to visit Grampy and Grandma-ma. Why it was a neighborhood squirrel. Grandma-ma went to sit out on the deck and saw this squirrel with a pinecone in his mouth. He was trying to decide which way to take his pinecone to his nest. He looked at me and then started to twitch his tail.

Look how close he is to the entrance of our deck.

If I had laid peanuts out, he would have come on to the deck and into the house. Can't have squirrels in the house though...Kota would lose his mind. Kota does not like tree rats in his house.

No, these are not hamburgers. Look closely and you will see that these are actually cupcakes. What fun it would be to have these at a party.

You don't have to use a cupcake pan or liners to bake cupcakes. When Jason and Aaron were little, I used to bake cupcake batter in ice cream cones. You then top with your favorite frosting and you have a cupcake on the go.

Here is grandma-ma's first sentence using the word, "cupcake."

My favorite cupcake is made from chocolate batter and chocolate buttercream frosting. So my happy ravs, the next time you want to make cupcakes, try using ice cream cones to hold the batter. You will enjoy eating a cone cupcake. Love to all. Grandma-ma

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Hello my Wednesday raviolis. Fall is just around the corner and this means late summer and fall football games. Yea! I love to watch school football...more than pro. The players are more intense and always enjoy learning how the game is played. So today's word of the week is:

"receiver"

Why receiver you say?

Well, there are many fun positions in football, but receiver is one of those "glory" positions that I like to watch. Visually, to watch a receiver start making fast tracks down a football field, running full bore for yards and then lifting their hands into the air to capture that flying pigskin, catching it and then landing for either major downs or a touchdown is exciting. This is when the spectators will jump from their seats, hands waving and voices shouting, GO GO GO!!!!

A receiver is a mad runner. Like a jackrabbit, they hop and run and scatter all over the field avoiding tackles with their fancy footwork. It is fun to watch.

Here is grandma-ma's first sentence using the word receiver:

I understand that a certain ravioli was asked to be a receiver on his football team; I hope he learns to enjoy the position because grandma-ma wants to hear how fast he runs. Have a wonderful Wednesday my ravs. Grandma-ma loves you.

Monday, August 30, 2010

Good morning my Monday raviolis. I understand that Aurora raviolis were having fun with the globe grampy and I sent them as a house warming gift last year. It's fun to play with a world globe, to see where the countries lie, the waters separate continents, the north and the south poles...all of it. We live in a great big world.

I would like to travel to visit as many countries as I can...would you? Grampy and I have been very fortunate to travel and visit many places. Aaron and Jason and their families are traveling everywhere too. You can go to the other side of the world or maybe into another state and see wonderful things.

Leave me a comment and tell me your favorite place to visit so far. Love to you all my raviolis. Grandma-ma

Friday, August 27, 2010

Grandma-ma has been released from the hospital and is now back home with Grampy and Kota Bear.

I like being home with the ones that I love and love me. Don't you? It's always good to know that when you are sick or not feeling good or maybe just a little unhappy that the day didn't turn out the way you would have hoped, that you can always go home and jump into the arms of a family pet or a mom or dad or brother and sister or grandma and grandpa or aunts and uncles and know that they love you. Just that squeeze from them tells you that things will be better and you can start a new day.

I love you my raviolis and thank you for all of the good thoughts, prayers and energy you sent me while I was healing. I am glad to be back home.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Why hospital, well this is where grandma-ma is writing today's post. Now, don't get worried. Grandma-ma is doing fine. She had a nasty bout of asthma and Grampy took her into the ER about 2am this morning. She is hooked up to all kinds of neat stuff and the staff is taking very good care of her.

A hospital is a place where you go if you are sick or injured. It can be a scary looking place, but always know that once you are inside, it is filled with wonderful and funny and smart and caring people who are there to just take care of you. That is what all of these people are doing for grandma-ma. They are taking care of her.

Here are some pictures of the ER room that Grandma-ma is in:

Here is grandma-ma's toes peeking out of her sheet.

Here are grandma-ma's vitals. They are good, but now we have to see if they will stay that way. I put this photo up just for Nurse Cristi...the Aurora raviolis mommy. Go ahead and laugh, Cristi, you know you want to.

The hospital staff brought grandma-ma breakfast. It looked better then it tasted, but the eggs were good.

Grampy brought Grandma-ma her laptop so she could get some work done. I couldn't type with the oxygen indicator they put on my finger, so I moved it to my toe. It works just fine there and I can write this post for my raviolis. Doesn't my toe look cute?

So here is grandma-ma's first sentence today. "Grandma-ma was very happy to be in a hospital where they take such good care of her."

Now you come up with three sentences using the word hospital too. Love to you all.

Why Raviolis?

I have always called my grand-daughter my little, three cheese ravioli (EIGHT cheese now, as she has requested upon turning eight). More raviolis are showing up much to my delight and joy. When asked why I call my grandchildren raviolis, I say it is because they are little hot pockets of goodness...just like raviolis. And everybody loves raviolis!

Raviolis for lunch is for my grandchildren

and I miss you all. This blog is created for each and every one of you, my little raviolis. This is grandma-ma's way of saying that she loves you and misses you and until I can squeeze the little hot pockets of goodness out of you when I see you next, perhaps you will stop by this blog created just for you. Hugs and kisses and lots of giggles to all of you...with loads of love - Grandma-ma.

Our furry, scaly, slimy, and feathered family

Meet them all and say good boy or sweet girl.

Kota

belonged to Grandma-ma and is Heaven with Grampy and Peaches.

Peaches

belonged to Aunt Renee and is in heaven.

Squirt

belongs to Lili, Owen, Caleb, Cristi and Aaron who live in Aurora

The twin tree frogs

who live in Grandma-ma's and Grampy's baby pool

Diesel

belongs to Kaitlyn, Connor, & Kelsey and lives in New York

Madison

belongs to Kaitlyn, Connor, and Kelsey

Lavender and Sunshine

belong to Caleb, Owen and Lili in Aurora, CO

The twin lizards

that live on Grandma-ma's & Grampy's screen door

Sushi

belongs to Grandma-ma and loves to swim in a pretty tank on her shelf at work.